The 2026 Nobel Prize announcements begin on October 5, with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The announcements will continue through October 12, recognising individuals and organisations for outstanding contributions to humanity.
The schedule is:October 5: Physiology or MedicineOctober 6: PhysicsOctober 7: ChemistryOctober 8: LiteratureOctober 9: PeaceOctober 12: Economic Sciences
The Nobel Prize was established through the will of Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor, entrepreneur and businessman, who left most of his fortune to fund prizes for outstanding contributions to humanity.
The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901 in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature and Peace. The Economic Sciences prize was established in 1968 by Sweden’s central bank, Sveriges Riksbank, and was first awarded in 1969.
Different institutions are responsible for selecting laureates in each category. The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet selects the laureate in Physiology or Medicine. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences selects the laureates in Physics, Chemistry and Economic Sciences, while the Swedish Academy selects the Literature laureate. The Norwegian Nobel Committee selects the Peace Prize laureate.
The Nobel nomination process remains closely guarded. The names of nominees and details of the selection process are kept confidential for 50 years.
The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced on October 9 by the Norwegian Nobel Committee at the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo. The final announcement, for the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, will be made on October 12.
The 2026 laureates will formally receive their Nobel medals, diplomas and prize money at ceremonies in December.
The prize money this year is 12 million Swedish kronor (about 1.2 million), whether for an individual, small group of laureates or organisation.